Brook Park goes to the dogs at annual swim party

The excited golden retriever from Old Brooklyn accompanied his human, Angie, to Brook Park Recreation Center Aug. 25 and jumped into the outdoor pool with abandon. So did nearly 200 other dogs.

Brook Park’s annual dog swim was a fur-ociously good time for the animals and their owners. Pups of all ages and sizes swam, played and yapped happily among the water park facilities. A photo booth and vendor tables kept the crowd busy as well.

Donations for the Brook Park Animal Shelter were accepted at the gate.

“Rocco just loves the water and dogs and everybody,” Angie said, adding it was his first time at the event. “He’s having fun.”

Rolo, a Newfoundland-Siberian husky mix from Brook Park, attended the dog swim for the fourth time.

“We only do this one day a year, but he knows exactly where he’s at right now,” said Rolo’s owner, Dave. “When we pulled into the parking lot, he was jumping around.”

There were plenty of smiles, especially when dachshunds Scooby and Scrappy strolled along with blue shark fins atop their swim vests. A small Shiba Inu crouched between its owner’s legs, a bit overwhelmed by all the activity.

“She’s a little shy,” explained Jan from North Olmsted. “I like to socialize my dog. It’s good for me, good for the dog and good for the shelter.”

“The place has gone to the dogs today,” Elliott said. “We started this around 2005, and every year it has gotten bigger and bigger and bigger. It’s all fenced in and very safe.”

The pool closed to the public the prior week to allow the chemicals to regulate safely for the dogs. People attended the swim party from several communities.

“They’re probably seeing their dogs do things today that they don’t generally see,” Elliott said, as a large dog slid down the slide with a resounding splash. “Today brings even more reasons to bring out the smiles.”